Shealy signaled to the car to pull over. The vehicle slowed but continued to drive, making several turns and finally stopping in the 900 block of Northwest 43rd Lane, the reports said.

The driver, later identified as Freddie Garmon Jr., 24, fled on foot, running southbound through several backyards.

Shealy chased Garmon with the help of K-9 dog Britt, telling the man to stop and giving K-9 warnings. Britt connected with Garmon and both man and dog fell to the ground near a large brick planter, the reports said.

Garmon hit Britt several times in the face, at which time the dog let go and Garmon continued to run, the reports said.

Britt and Garmon connected again in the 900 block of Northwest 42nd Place, at which point Shealy said he saw Garmon strike Britt in the head several times. Shealy later observed a gash on Britt's head.

The deputy eventually stopped and handcuffed Garmon. Another sheriff's official arrived on the scene and found a white powdery substance in a bag Garmon had thrown to the ground, the reports said.

In a second bag was a colorful contact holder that contained “a couple apparent white crack rocks,” according to an official account of the incident. Both substances tested positive for cocaine in a field test.

Garmon was taken to Munroe Regional Medical Center, where he received treatment for injuries sustained during his altercation with K-9 Britt. He was then transported to the Marion County Jail.

Garmon was booked on the following charges: felony drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, battery on a police dog, fleeing and attempt to elude an officer, tampering with evidence, resisting arrest without violence, and driving with license suspended or revoked.

According to the Sheriff's Office, a check of Garmon's driver's license showed numerous suspensions. Jail records show Garmon was arrested April 22 for driving with a suspended license as a habitual offender but was released the same day after posting a $2,000 bond.

<p>A routine traffic stop turned into a foot chase through several Ocala backyards late Saturday, leaving a police dog with a gash on its head and a man in custody on a variety of charges.</p><p>About 9 p.m. Saturday, Marion County Sheriff's Office K-9 Deputy Jared Shealy noticed a green four-door Chrysler swerve twice near the 3800 block of North U.S. 441, sheriff's reports showed.</p><p>Shealy signaled to the car to pull over. The vehicle slowed but continued to drive, making several turns and finally stopping in the 900 block of Northwest 43rd Lane, the reports said.</p><p>The driver, later identified as Freddie Garmon Jr., 24, fled on foot, running southbound through several backyards.</p><p>Shealy chased Garmon with the help of K-9 dog Britt, telling the man to stop and giving K-9 warnings. Britt connected with Garmon and both man and dog fell to the ground near a large brick planter, the reports said.</p><p>Garmon hit Britt several times in the face, at which time the dog let go and Garmon continued to run, the reports said.</p><p>Britt and Garmon connected again in the 900 block of Northwest 42nd Place, at which point Shealy said he saw Garmon strike Britt in the head several times. Shealy later observed a gash on Britt's head.</p><p>The deputy eventually stopped and handcuffed Garmon. Another sheriff's official arrived on the scene and found a white powdery substance in a bag Garmon had thrown to the ground, the reports said.</p><p>In a second bag was a colorful contact holder that contained “a couple apparent white crack rocks,” according to an official account of the incident. Both substances tested positive for cocaine in a field test.</p><p>Garmon was taken to Munroe Regional Medical Center, where he received treatment for injuries sustained during his altercation with K-9 Britt. He was then transported to the Marion County Jail.</p><p>Garmon was booked on the following charges: felony drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia, battery on a police dog, fleeing and attempt to elude an officer, tampering with evidence, resisting arrest without violence, and driving with license suspended or revoked.</p><p>According to the Sheriff's Office, a check of Garmon's driver's license showed numerous suspensions. Jail records show Garmon was arrested April 22 for driving with a suspended license as a habitual offender but was released the same day after posting a $2,000 bond.</p><p><i>Contact April Warren at 867-4065 or april.warren@ocala.com.</i></p>